JP2005099223A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can securely notify a user of the case in which a document is left. <P>SOLUTION: It is determined whether the number of copies is one or plural (ST1 and ST2). When the number of the copy is one, it is set so that a warning sound is generated after the completion of printing (ST4). When it is plural, it is set so that the warning sound is generated after the completion of reading (ST3). After the completion of the reading for the copy, when the setting for generating the warning sound after the completion of the reading exists (ST5 and ST6), the warning sound for the left document is generated (ST7). After the copying is completed, when the setting for generating the warning sound after the completion of the printing exists (ST8 and ST9), the warning sound for the left document is generated at this point (ST10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a facsimile function and a copying function.

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, when an original is set on an FBS (flat bed scanner), the original is read and copied, and the FBS cover cannot be opened even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the completion of copying, the original is There is a technique for determining that the user has misplaced and sounding a warning alarm (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-9066

  As in the above prior art, when the alarm for forgetting to place a document is sounded after copying is completed, if there is only one copy, there is no problem because the user waits in front of the machine until the copying is completed. However, when copying a large number of sheets, the user usually specifies the number of copies, presses the start key, confirms that copy printing will start, and then often leaves the device for a while. In many cases, after the elapse of time, the device returns to the main body and takes away the printed product. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the document is left behind when copying is completed, the user may not be notified. The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably informing the user when a document is left behind.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention outputs a forgetting document notification at the end of printing of a copy according to an image reading unit that reads a document placed on a document placing unit, a printing unit that prints the read document, and copy conditions. Or a means for determining whether or not a document forgotten notification is output upon completion of reading of the document, and a notification means for notifying that a document is forgotten at the determined time.

  In the present invention, the copy conditions are, for example, a copy with one copy designated and a copy with a copy designation greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies. In the case of one copy with a copy designation, the copy designation is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of copies after completion of copying. May be notified of the forgetting of the document after the reading is completed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, for example, when the number of copies is one, a notification of forgetting a document is output upon completion of copy printing, and when the number of copies is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a notification of forgetting a document is output when reading is completed. Therefore, when the user is often near the device body, a warning is issued, and the warning can be reliably transmitted to the user.

  According to the present invention, depending on the copy conditions, it is determined whether to notify that the document is left behind after the read document is printed or whether to notify that the document is left behind after completion of reading the document, and the notification timing is changed according to the copy conditions. Therefore, according to the copy condition, when there is a high probability that the user is on the device main body side, a warning sound can be output, and the user can be surely informed of the misplacement of dimming.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a color image communication apparatus according to the embodiment. This color image communication apparatus is configured as a multi-function machine that serves both as a copying machine and a facsimile machine. This multi-function device has a function of performing facsimile communication of a color image in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure specified by the ITU-T recommendation.

  In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1 as a main control unit has a function of comprehensively controlling each unit constituting the device.

  The CPU 1 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, MODEM 3, ROM 4, RAM 5, image memory 6, display unit 7, operation unit 8, image reading unit 9, image recording unit 10, CODEC (encoding / coding). Decoder: Coder and Decoder) 11, LAN I / F 12, and audio output unit 16 are connected via a bus 13.

  The NCU 2 is controlled by the CPU 1 to control connection with a telephone line network (PSTN) 14 that is a communication line. Further, the NCU 2 has a function of sending a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number (including a FAX number) of a communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call. MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.264. 30, T.M. 4 according to the facsimile transmission control procedure (facsimile communication procedure) according to FIG. 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. MODEM3 is a V. 8, V. V. using 34. It is also applicable to 34 FAX. Specifically, the MODEM 3 has a function of modulating transmission data, which is a digital signal, into an analog voice signal so as to be sent to the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2. The MODEM 3 has a function of demodulating an analog voice signal received from the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2 into a digital signal.

  The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. The RAM 5 stores data necessary for control by the CPU 1 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during the control operation. The RAM 5 includes a warning sound table 5a. In the warning sound table 5a, as shown in FIG. 2, the timing at which the warning sound is generated can be set to either after reading is completed or after printing is completed. The image memory 6 stores the image data read by the image reading unit 9 in a compressed state. Further, the image memory 6 stores image data received from an external device such as a personal computer via a network (LAN) or image data read from a recording medium in a compressed state (JPEG or the like).

  The display unit 7 displays icons, key buttons, message contents necessary for data transmission / reception, a telephone number and a FAX number input by the operation of the operation unit 8, and the like. In addition, a warning message is displayed to alert the user that he / she has forgotten to place the original when printing is completed. As the display unit 7, a CRT display or an LCD (liquid crystal display device) is used. The operation unit 8 includes a numeric keypad, a one-touch key, a registration key, a start key, and an operation mode switching key. The numeric keypad is for inputting a telephone number or a FAX number. The one-touch key is used to call a destination telephone number or FAX number with one touch. The registration key is used for abbreviated registration of the telephone number or FAX number of the other party. The start key is used to instruct the start of facsimile communication or copy operation. The operation mode switching key is used to switch modes for a plurality of operation modes such as FAX mode, copy mode, and scanner mode.

  The image reading unit 9 optically scans and reads image data of a document when performing facsimile transmission or copying. The image reading unit 9 can also read a color image. In the case of color reading, the image reading unit 9 optically scans a document image and obtains RGB three-color separation signals. The image recording unit 10 includes an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data of a document read by the image reading unit 9 in a copying operation on a recording sheet. This image recording unit 10 uses CMYK four-color recording agents (toners), and in addition to monochrome printing using only K (black component) recording agents, color using all CMYK four-color recording agents. Printing is also possible.

  The CODEC 11 encodes (encodes) the read image data according to the MH, MR, MMR method or the like to transmit or store the image data. Further, the CODEC 11 decodes (decodes) the image data received in the compression-coded state for recording by the image recording unit 10. Further, the CODEC 11 encodes color image data obtained by color reading by the image reading unit 9 by the JPEG method, and records the color image data received in a state encoded by the JPEG method by the image recording unit 10. To decrypt.

  The LAN I / F 12 is used to exchange data with an external device via a LAN (local area network), and is connected to an external device such as a PC (personal computer) via the LAN I / F 12. For example, image data to be copied can be received from an external device via the LAN I / F 12. The voice output unit 16 outputs a warning (notification) that prompts a user to pay attention to forgetting to place a document when printing is completed. In addition, other instructions / audio information are output as necessary.

  Next, processing operations at the time of copying of the multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step ST1, the copy start key of the operation unit 8 is pressed by the user. Next, the process proceeds to step ST2. In step ST2, it is determined whether the number of copies is one. In the case of copying of a plurality of copies, the number of copies is set in advance in the operation unit 8. If the number of copies is one, the process proceeds to step ST4. On the other hand, if the number of copies is plural, that is, two or more, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In step ST3, since a plurality of copies are made, a warning sound is set after the reading is completed. That is, the setting “1” is stored in “after reading is completed” in the warning sound table 5a. Next, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST4, since the number of copies is 1, the warning sound is set after printing is completed. That is, the setting “1” is stored in “after printing” in the warning sound table 5a. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST5, the image reading unit 9 performs copy reading, that is, scans a document. Next, the process proceeds to step ST6. In step ST6, it is determined by referring to the warning sound table whether or not "ring after reading" is set. If the determination is YES, that is, if it is set to “ring after reading”, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST7, since it is determined in step ST6 that the setting is made to sound after the reading is completed, a warning sound indicating that the original is left behind is output by the audio output unit 16, and this is displayed together with the display unit 7. Since the warning sound is output after the reading is completed, the user is often still near the main body of the apparatus, and the user can be surely notified that the original is left behind. If the FBS lid is open here, the process of step ST7 is not executed. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST8, the designated number of copies are printed. Next, the process proceeds to step ST9. In step ST9, it is determined by referring to the warning sound table 5a whether or not “ring after printing is completed” is set. If the determination is YES, that is, if “ring after completion of printing” is set, the process proceeds to step ST10. On the other hand, if the determination is NO in step ST9, that is, if “ring after printing is not completed” is set, the process is terminated. In step ST10, the sound output unit 16 outputs a warning sound for leaving the document, and the display unit 7 displays the warning sound. Since the warning sound is output after the printing of one sheet is completed, the user is still in the vicinity of the main body of the apparatus, and the user can be surely notified that the document has been left behind. Here again, if the FBS lid is open, the process of step ST10 is not executed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a color image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the warning sound table of the color image communication apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a copy processing operation of the color image communication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main control unit (CPU)
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 RAM
5a Warning sound table 6 Image memory 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 9 Image reading unit 10 Image recording unit 11 CODEC
12 LAN I / F
13 Bus 14 Telephone network 15 LAN
16 Audio output part

Claims (2)

  Depending on the image reading unit that reads the document placed on the document placement unit, the printing means that prints the scanned document, and the copy conditions, a forgetting document notification is output at the end of the copy printing, or when the document reading is completed An image forming apparatus comprising: means for determining whether or not to output a forgetting document; and notifying means for notifying that a document is forgotten at the determined time.   The copy conditions are a copy of one copy designated and a copy of a copy designated by a specified number of copies or more. When the number of copies specified is 1, the notification of forgetting a document is made after the copy is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein forgetting a document is notified after the reading is completed.

Images